Disposable/reusable strap extender

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for carrying shopping bags across a shoulder, the apparatus comprising an elongated sheet of material, the elongated sheet of material comprising a central portion configured to rest on a human shoulder and an end portion at each end of the central portion configured to insert and loop through existing handles of bags, the end portions including means for attachment to the central portion to secure a loop configurable to various sizes around the existing handles of the shopping bags at each end of the central portion.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention described herein generally relates to a disposable strap that can be used to extend items with a looped carrying feature such as shopping bags to be carried over the shoulder.

2. Description of the Related Art

The need for a convenient solution to the problems of carrying items such as shopping bags, including plastic grocery bags and double-handled retail shopping bags, and heavy objects with handles, has been long recognized in the art. Plastic bags typically include a bag pouch or body which integrally extends to form a pair of handles defining a hand grip. Users may load the bag and securely grasp the bag through the handles, carrying anywhere from one to four bags with a single hand. However, the heavy weight of items or groceries in such bags causes the bag handles to collapse and take on the nature of thin ropes. The concentration of weight from the bag through the handles quickly fatigues the normal user, and provides pain and discomfort. Also, with heavy items, such as large cans or bottles, the handles are relatively thin bands which apply substantial force concentrated along narrow areas or regions of the hand, which can be painful when the cans or bottles are carried over for any period of time or distance. Although some shoppers bring reusable bags when they go shopping, and could in theory bring even larger bags or luggage, these solutions are typically inconvenient and require a degree of planning in which most people would not engage when going grocery shopping.

Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus for retaining bags that is not an inconvenience or unappealing and can be inexpensively manufactured, but which provides a secure comfortable transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a strap for facilitating carrying on a shoulder shopping bags or any other object with looped handle(s).

According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an elongated sheet of pliable material, the elongated sheet of pliable material comprising a central portion configured to rest on a human shoulder and an end portion at each end of the central portion configured to insert and loop through existing handles of bags, the end portions including means for attachment to the central portion to secure a loop configurable to various sizes around the existing handles of the shopping bags at each end of the central portion.

The elongated sheet of pliable material may be comprised of a strong paper material. In another embodiment, the elongated sheet of pliable material may be comprised of a tape including at least one of a sheet material base of paper, synthetic sheet plastic material, cellophane, woven, and matted fabric. In yet another embodiment, the elongated sheet of pliable material may be comprised of a plasticized paper material. The elongated sheet of pliable material may be approximately two to four feet long. The means for attachment may include adhesive tape construction, hook and loop, hooks, claws, snaps, or clips.

According to an alternative embodiment, the apparatus comprises an elongated strip of disposable material, the elongated strip of disposable material comprising a central portion configured to rest on a human shoulder, and an end portion at each end of the central portion configured to insert and loop through existing handles of objects, the end portions including adhesive tape construction for attachment to the central portion to secure a loop at each end of the central portion.

The objects may comprise at least one of enclosures, cans, bottles, boxes, and packages with existing handles. The elongated strip of disposable material may be comprised of a strong paper material. In another embodiment, the elongated strip of disposable material may comprise a tape including at least one of a sheet material base of paper, synthetic sheet plastic material, cellophane, woven, and matted fabric. In yet another embodiment, the elongated strip of disposable material may be comprised of a plasticized paper material. The elongated strip of disposable material may be approximately two to four feet long.

According to another alternative embodiment, the apparatus comprises an elongated sheet of reusable material, the elongated sheet of reusable material comprising a central portion configured to rest on a human shoulder, and an end portion at each end of the central portion configured to insert and loop through existing handles of objects, the end portions including reusable attachment construction for attachment to the central portion to secure a loop at each end of the central portion.

The objects may comprise at least one of enclosures, cans, bottles, boxes, and packages with existing handles. In one embodiment, the elongated strip of reusable material is comprised of a strong paper material. In another embodiment, the elongated strip of reusable material may be comprised of a reusable tape including at least one of a sheet material base of paper, synthetic sheet plastic material, cellophane, woven, and matted fabric. The elongated strip of reusable material may be comprised of a plasticized paper material according to an additional embodiment. In yet another embodiment, the elongated sheet of reusable material may be comprised of a least one of a fabric, synthetic fabric, leather, and a combination thereof. The elongated strip of reusable material may be approximately two to four feet long.

Using embodiments of the present invention allows one to achieve a number of advantages, including providing a strap which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture, carrying of multiple shopping bags with minimum effort and maximum comfort, allowing the carrying of shopping bags to free the hands of the user, and providing a strap which can be used to carry shopping bags, or the like, across a shoulder while distributing the forces of the weight to minimize the discomfort or pain typically encountered when carrying such bags directly by hand. In addition, carrying items over the shoulder allows one to carry the weight of the items with the larger gross motor and core muscles and frees the hands to open a car or house door with a key, to hold a child's hand in the street or parking lot, or to push a cart or stroller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an attachment facing view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a manner in which the apparatus is used according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate exemplary dispensers of the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate the apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning. Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matter include combinations of example embodiments in whole or in part.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a strap is provided which can be applied to an object with an existing handle in such manner as to provide a dependable and convenient means for carrying the object. The strap may be adapted to be made simply, quickly, and in large numbers so that it can be given away by the merchant to the customer and easily and quickly applied to a shopping bag or object as a complete or partial substitute for other tying means. In other embodiments, the strap can be constructed of material durable for reusability.

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any example embodiments set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 presents an attachment facing view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a strap 100 including adhesive tape construction on end portion 102 and end portion 104. The adhesive tape construction provides for attachment to any point along the central portion 106 of strap 100 to complete and secure a loop on each end of the strap when the end portions are folded over. Strap 100 may be used for carrying shopping bags or the like across a shoulder is made of a relatively thin elongated sheet or strip of pliable material which defines a longitudinal axis and which is flexible at least along its length direction or axis. The strap may be comprised of a disposable tape having a sheet material base of paper, synthetic sheet plastic material, cellophane, woven or matted fabric. The disposable tape may be, for example, approximately two to four feet long, and constructed of a strong paper based material such as duct tape or a paper stock material. In another embodiment, may comprise a disposal plasticized paper material.

Adhesive tape construction may be applied in various lengths located at end portion 102 and end portion 104, generally the last inch or the last few inches on each end of strap 100. The adhesive tape construction may be utilized for closing, tying or binding purposes in connection with existing handles of carrying bags, such as shopping bags, or of various types of enclosures, cans, bottles, boxes, packages and the like. For example, the adhesive tape construction may include pressure-sensitive adhesive material on the end portions. The strap can provide shock and tear resistance and may be used for carrying relatively heavy bags, containers or articles. The pressure-sensitive adhesive may be covered with a removable facing comprising a sheet of material which may be readily removed in part or whole without difficulty from the pressure-sensitive adhesive facing. In some embodiments, a series of scoring or cut lines are provided with the removable facing such that portions of such facing may be removed to enable the pressure-sensitive adhesive to be applied to a handle of a bag or package with the uncovered, adhesive face portions.

In alternative embodiments, the present invention provides for straps suitable for reusability as opposed to the disposable tape embodiments described above. Reusable straps may also be comprised of tape having a sheet material base of paper, synthetic sheet plastic material, cellophane, woven or matted fabric. Alternatively, reusable straps may be comprised of a strip of fabric such as cotton, nylon, or any other synthetic fabric, leather, or any combination thereof. The reusable straps may include reusable attachment construction such as hook and loop (e.g., Velcro), hooks, claws, clips or snaps on the end portions to close up around the handles of bags, etc. and secured to any length or a predetermined length of the central portion 106.

Loops may be formed using the end portions 102 and 104 to secure objects on each respective end of strap 100 as illustrated in FIG. 2. A given end portion may be inserted and/or looped through one or more handles of shopping bags or any other object and closed up at any point along the length of central portion 106 of the strap to form a loop, allowing for any desirable length of the strap or loop size. Loops of various sizes or lengths of circumference may be created on each end, for example, loops ranging from approximately one inch to one foot in circumference, and may vary depending on the total length of the strap. Advantageously, the strap is provided with a flat surface suitable for use on the shoulder or a surface to conform to the shape of the shoulder to maximize comfort and loops that are configurable in size to accommodate a height of a user of the strap.

FIG. 3 presents a manner in which the apparatus is used according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap 100 may be used to extend bag 300 and bag 320 to be carried over the shoulder 300 of a person. The strap is dimensioned and configured to rest on a human shoulder 300 and extend to each side thereof. Strap 100 may be configured to loop end portion 102 through bag handle 310 and end portion 104 through 330.

For example, a method for carrying shopping bags across a shoulder may comprise inserting a first end portion of an elongated sheet of pliable material through a pair of handles of a first bag and forming a first loop around the pair of handles of the first bag by attaching the first end portion to a center portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material. The method further comprises inserting a second end portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material through a pair of handles of a second bag and forming a second loop around the pair of handles of the second bag by securing the second end portion to the center portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material. The first and second bags may then be transported by carrying the elongated sheet of pliable material over a human shoulder with the first and second bags secured on the first and second end portions of the elongated sheet pliable material. In particular, a midsection of the center portion may be rested on a human shoulder while transporting the first and second bags. In an alternative embodiment, the first end portion may be inserted through a pair of handles of a bag or several bags and forming a first loop around the pair of handles of the bag or bags by attaching the first end portion to a center portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material. The method further comprises inserting a second end portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material through the same pair or pairs of handles of the bag or bags and forming a second loop around the pair or pairs of handles of the bag or bags by securing the second end portion to the center portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material.

The first and second end portions may be attached to any variable location within the center portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material using any means for attachment as described herein. In certain embodiments, the first and second end portions may be directly attached to the pair or pairs of handles (e.g., via hooks or claws) without being attached to the center portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material (as illustrated in FIG. 6). The bag or bags may then be transported by carrying the elongated sheet of pliable material over a human shoulder suspended vertically from the shoulder or worn across the body. For example, the bags may be suspended on the right side of the person's body and the strap may hang across the body being suspended over the left shoulder of the person, with the bag or bags secured on the first and second end portions of the elongated sheet pliable material. In particular, a midsection of the center portion may be rested on a human shoulder while transporting the first and second bags.

FIG. 4 presents an exemplary dispenser of the apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Dispenser 400 may comprise a spool or a roll. A plurality of strap 100 may be produced in a continuous strip and detachable from one another by, for example, perforated cuts at predetermined lengths. A plurality of strap 100 may be wound up around dispenser 400 and dispensed.

FIG. 5 presents an exemplary dispenser of the apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. Dispenser 500 may comprise a container or box including a detachment means 510. Detachment means 510 may comprise a cutter, blade, or any other device suitable for separating strips of strap 100. A plurality of strap 100 may be packed into dispenser 500. The plurality of strap 100 may be produced in a continuous strip where it may be drawn out and detached at predetermined lengths using detachment means 510. The plurality of strap 100 may be perforated at predetermined lengths. In an alternative embodiment, detachment means 510 may be omitted. For example, the straps may be precut and rolled up separately such that the straps may be packaged in a box or container.

FIG. 6 illustrate the strap apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The strap 600 may include an end portion 602 comprising a hook or hook-like structure. The hook may be configured for direct attachment to handles 610 of bag 620. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a strap 700 including an end portion 702 comprised of a hook may loop around handles 710 of bag 720 and latch onto itself along strap 700.

FIGS. 1 through 7 are conceptual illustrations allowing for an explanation of the present invention. Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for carrying shopping bags across a shoulder, the apparatus comprising: an elongated sheet of pliable material, the elongated sheet of pliable material comprising: a central portion configured to rest on a human shoulder; and an end portion at each end of the central portion configured to insert and loop through existing handles of shopping bags, the end portions including means for attachment to the central portion to secure a loop configurable to various sizes around the existing handles of the shopping bags at each end of the central portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated sheet of pliable material is comprised of a strong paper material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated sheet of pliable material is comprised of a tape including at least one of a sheet material base of paper, synthetic sheet plastic material, cellophane, woven, and matted fabric.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated sheet of pliable material is comprised of a plasticized paper material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated sheet of pliable material is approximately two to four feet long.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for attachment comprises adhesive tape.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for attachment includes at least one of hook and loop, hooks, claws, clips, and snaps.
 8. A method for carrying shopping bags across a shoulder, the method comprising: inserting a first end portion of an elongated sheet of pliable material through a pair of handles of a first bag; forming a first loop around the pair of handles of the first bag by attaching the first end portion to a center portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material; inserting a second end portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material through a pair of handles of a second bag; forming a second loop around the pair of handles of the second bag by attaching the second end portion to the center portion of the elongated sheet of pliable material; and transporting the first and second bags by carrying the elongated sheet of pliable material over a human shoulder with the first and second bags secured at the first and second end portions of the elongated sheet pliable material.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the elongated sheet of pliable material is comprised of a strong paper material.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the elongated sheet of pliable material is comprised of a tape including at least one of a sheet material base of paper, synthetic sheet plastic material, cellophane, woven, and matted fabric.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the elongated sheet of pliable material is comprised of a plasticized paper material.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein transporting the first and second bags comprises resting a midsection of the center portion on a human shoulder.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein the first and second end portions include means for attachment.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the means for attachment includes at least one of an adhesive tape, hook and loop, hooks, claws, clips, and snaps.
 15. An apparatus for carrying objects across a shoulder, the apparatus comprising: an elongated strip of disposable material, the elongated strip of disposable material comprising: a central portion configured to rest on a human shoulder; and an end portion at each end of the central portion configured to insert and loop through existing handles of objects, the end portions including adhesive tape construction for attachment to the central portion to secure a loop configurable to various sizes around the existing handles of the shopping bags at each end of the central portion.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the objects comprises at least one of enclosures, cans, bottles, boxes, and packages with existing handles.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the elongated strip of disposable material is comprised of a strong paper material.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the elongated strip of disposable material is comprised of a tape including at least one of a sheet material base of paper, synthetic sheet plastic material, cellophane, woven, and matted fabric.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the elongated strip of disposable material is comprised of a plasticized paper material.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the elongated strip of disposable material is approximately two to four feet long. 